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Some pseudoscorpions (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpions) occur in seashore habitats where they are typically found under driftwood or rocks. Here we review the genus Nipponogarypus Morikawa, 1955 from littoral habitats in Japan and South Korea and describe a new species, Nipponogarypus seosanensis sp. nov., from the Korean Peninsula. We also elevate two former subspecies to species rank: N. enoshimaensis enoshimaensis Morikawa, 1960 = N. enoshimaensis Morikawa, 1955, and N. enoshimaensis okinoerabensis Morikawa, 1960 = N. okinoerabensis Morikawa, 1960, stat. nov. The distribution of all Nipponogarypus species is mapped, and an identification key for the species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new species of the genus Stenohya Beier, 1967 from China are described: Stenohya gibba sp. nov. and S. papillata sp. nov. from Hunan Province, and S. guangmingensis sp. nov. from Jiangxi Province. In addition to their sexually dimorphic pedipalp, these three new species also have a uniquely sexual dimorphic leg I, which has not been reported in other Stenohya species. Additionally, an updated key to the Chinese Stenohya species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new pseudoscorpions in the family Pseudotyrannochthoniidae are described from China: Allochthonius hispidus sp. nov. from Chongqing (Wushan County), Spelaeochthonius huanglaoensis sp. nov. from Beijing (Fangshan District), and Spelaeochthonius tuoliangensis sp. nov. from Hebei (Pingshan County). Detailed diagnoses and illustrations of all new species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The hoffi species-group previously comprised only two species, Lechytia hoffi Muchmore, 1975 and Lechytia yulongensis Zhang and Zhang, 2014, of which L. yulongensis is distributed in China. New information: Three species of the genus Lechytia are described from China: Lechytia acutidentata sp. nov. and Lechytia depressidentata sp. nov. from Xizang Autonomous Region and L. yulongensis from Yunnan Province. The female of L. yulongensis is reported for the first time. In addition, a key to the hoffi species-group is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new Lagynochthonius species of the pseudoscorpion family Chthoniidae are described, based on morphological characters: Lagynochthonius duo sp. nov., Lagynochthonius gibbus sp. nov., Lagynochthonius hepingensis sp. nov., Lagynochthonius houi sp. nov., and Lagynochthonius sanhuaensis sp. nov. All specimens were collected from epigean habitats in southern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Larca is described from dry habitats in a cave in central Colorado. Like other cave-dwelling species of Larca, the new species Larca boulderica sp. nov., shows relatively modest morphological adaptations, such as pale colouration and slightly elongated appendages, compared with their epigean counterparts. This species is the sixth cave-dwelling species of Larca described from North America and, like other cave-dwelling Larca in North America and Europe, tends to be distributed in more southerly regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The pseudoscorpion genus Shravana Chamberlin, 1930, belonging to the family Ideoroncidae Chamberlin, 1930, currently contains 13 species. To date, no ideoroncid species has been recorded from China. New information The family Ideoroncidae Chamberlin, 1930 is reported from China for the first time. A new species of the genus Shravana Chamberlin, 1930, collected from Xizang Autonomous Region, China, is described under the name of Shravana zhui Gao & Zhang, sp. nov. on the basis of both sexes. The finding of this new species expands the distribution range of this family in Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species Olpium caputi sp. nov. from Tahiti is described here based on external characters. This is the first record of the family Olpiidae Banks, 1895 from French Polynesia. Additionally, the genus Paratemnoides Harvey, 1991 is recorded from French Polynesia for the first time with the full description of new-found specimens of Paratemnoides assimilis (Beier, 1932). New localities of Geogarypus longidigitatus (Rainbow, 1897) are added. An identification key to pseudoscorpions of French Polynesia is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the pseudoscorpion genus Ditha Chamberlin, 1929, is described from Kerala State, India. A detailed morphological description, diagnostic features, and illustrations of Ditha (Paraditha) shivanparaensis Jeong, Harms & Johnson, sp. nov. are provided. The current distribution of all the known Ditha species is mapped, and an identification key for the genus is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of the pseudoscorpion genus Pararoncus Chamberlin, 1938 are described from Korea. Detailed descriptions, habitus pictures, and illustrations of Pararoncus leonardi sp. nov. and P. taeyoungi sp. nov. are provided. The current distribution of the genus Pararoncus is mapped and a taxonomic key for all species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pseudoscorpiones fauna of North America is diverse, but in regions like the southern Appalachian Mountains, they are still poorly documented with respect to their species diversity, distributions and ecology. Several families have been reported from these mountains and neighbouring areas. Here we analyse barcoding data of 136 specimens collected in leaf litter, most of them from high-elevation coniferous forest. We used ASAP as a species delimitation method to obtain an estimation of the number of species present in the region. For this and based on interspecific genetic distance values previously reported in Pseudoscorpions, we considered three different genetic Kimura two-parameter distance thresholds (3%/5%/8%), to produce more or less conservative estimates. These distance thresholds resulted in 64/47/27 distinct potential species representing the families Chthoniidae (33/22/12 species) and Neobisiidae (31/25/15) and at least six different genera within them. The diversity pattern seems to be affected by the Asheville Depression, a major biogeographic barrier in this area, with a higher diversity to the west of this geographic feature, particularly within the family Neobisiidae. The absence of representatives from other families amongst our studied samples may be explained by differences in their ecological requirements and occupation of different microhabitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two Stenohya species belonging to the family Neobisiidae are diagnosed, described, and illustrated from China: Stenohya spinata sp. nov. from Chongqing Municipality, and Stenohya huangi Hu & Zhang, 2012 from Fujian Province. The male of S. huangi is reported for the first time. Diagnostic characters of this species are restricted based on the holotype and the new specimens. In addition, a key and a distribution map of the Stenohya species from China are provided, and the potential function of the exaggerated sexual dimorphic pedipalp in the genus Stenohya is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Catatemnus Beier, 1932 is reported for the first time from China and includes six new species: C. huae sp. nov. from Hainan Island, C. laminosus sp. nov., C. ramus sp. nov., C. scaber sp. nov., and C. tengchongensis sp. nov. all from Yunnan Province, and C. tibetanus sp. nov. from Xizang Autonomous Region. Descriptions and illustrations of all the new species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new cave-adapted chthoniid pseudoscorpions from four karst caves of Yunnan Province (China) are described, including detailed diagnosis and illustrations: Tyrannochthonius calvatus sp. nov. from an unnamed cave and Dongtianfu Cave (Fuyuan County), T. capito sp. nov. from Xianren Cave (Xichou County), and Lagynochthonius daidaiensis sp. nov. from Daidai Cave (Qiubei County). All three species are endemic to Yunnan. Tyrannochthonius calvatus sp. nov., lacking the carapaceal antero-median setae and having intercalary teeth on the movable chelal finger only, is a peculiar chthoniid species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new troglomorphic pseudotyrannochthoniid pseudoscorpion species collected from karst caves in Guizhou Province are described with detailed diagnoses and illustrations: Allochthonius bainiensis sp. nov. from Liangfeng Cave (Xishui County), Allochthonius pandus sp. nov. from Daozuo Cave (Xishui County), Allochthonius xinqiaoensis sp. nov. from Sanjie Cave (Fenggang County), and Spelaeochthonius wulibeiensis sp. nov. from Wulibei Cave (Weining County). Spelaeochthonius wulibeiensis sp. nov. represents the first record of the genus in China. The diagnostic features of these four new cave-adapted (troglomorphic) species are presented and discussed, as well as compared with closely related species. The data on their distribution, habitat and ecology of the species are also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pselaphochernes scorpioides (Hermann, 1804) is reported from Georgia for the first time. This is also the first record of the genus Pselaphochernes in Georgia. The finding is based on one female specimen found in the Malaise trap in Kintrishi National Park, Adjara Region. A description of the main morphological and morphometrical characteristics of the collected specimen is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new species of the genus Tyrannochthonius Chamberlin, 1929 are described from caves in the provinces of Yunnan (T. huilongshanensis sp. nov., T. xinzhaiensis sp. nov., and T. yamuhensis sp. nov.), Guizhou (T. dongjiensis sp. nov.), and Sichuan (T. huaerensis sp. nov.). An identification key is provided for all known representatives of the genus Tyrannochthonius from China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new species of the genus Metachelifer Redikorzev, 1938 are described from caves in the provinces of Tak (M. takensis sp. nov. and M. thailandicus sp. nov.), Chiangmai (M. mahnerti sp. nov.), and Nakhon Ratchasima (M. cheni sp. nov.). An identification key is provided to all known world representatives of the genus Metachelifer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of pseudoscorpions, Neobisium (Neobisium) adjaricum sp. nov., is described and diagnosed. It was collected in the Sphagnum habitats of Ispani lowland mires in Transcaucasia (Republic of Adjara, Georgia). The habitat of N. (N.) adjaricum sp. nov. is described. The holotype of N. (N.) vilcekii Krumpál, 1983, a species most similar morphologically to N. (N.) adjaricum sp. nov., known from the North Caucasus (Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Russia), is redescribed. Diagnostic characters of the relative Caucasian species of the subgenus Neobisium Chamberlin, 1930 are analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new cave-adapted pseudoscorpion species belonging to the family Chthoniidae are described: Tyrannochthonius pandus sp. nov. from Biyu Cave (Yunnan: Luxi) and Lagynochthonius laoxueyanensis sp. nov. from Laoxueyan Cave (Yunnan: Yanshan). Both of them, collected from the dark zone of caves, are highly troglomorphic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new pseudoscorpion species, Selachochthonius naledi sp. nov., is herein described. It can be distinguished from the other species of the genus mainly by the absence of eyes, number and morphology of chelal teeth and coxae setae and by the appendices proportions. This new species represents the fourth record for the genus in South Africa. We also provide some ecological remarks of the new species and recommendations for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudochthonius ramalho sp. nov. is described to Gruna do Vandercir cave, in the Serra do Ramalho karst area, southwestern Bahia, Brazil. This area has an extensive limestone outcrop, with several caves, and the occurrence of potential minerals that are financially attractive for mining projects. The new species shows troglomorphic characteristics such as the depigmentation of the carapace and absence or reduction of eyes. It is a rare troglobitic species, and following the criteria of IUCN, we categorized the species as Critically Endangered – CR, IUCN criteria B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii). According to Brazilian legislation, locations, where critically endangered species live, can be protected by law, and we consider this cave/region to be of maximal relevance for protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new pseudoscorpion species, Chthonius kirghisicus sp. nov., is described. It can be distinguished from the other species of the genus mainly by the number and shape of chelal teeth, the number of coxae setae, the arrangement of carapacal setae, and its measurements. This new species represents the first record for the genus in Kyrgyzstan. We also provide recommendations for future research on this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diplotemnus balcanicus (Redikorzev, 1928) is reported for the second time from Slovakia. The species was first recorded from Slovakia in 1955 when two specimens were found in bat guano on the loft inside a church. After 65 years, one male was discovered inside a private family home 8 km from the 1955 record. The original 1955 material of D. balcanicus, from a private collection, has been revised. Additionally, a short description of the male of D. balcanicus and some identification notes on Eurasian diplotemnids are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allochthonius (Urochthonius) yoshizawai sp. nov., found in Hiura-do Cave, a limestone cave located in the municipality of Kumakogen, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, is described. It can be distinguished from the consubgeneric species mainly by the carapacal chaetotaxy (6-2, 18), by the presence of 6 setae on the cheliceral palm, by the rallum with 11 blades, by the presence of 8 clavate coxal blades on coxae I, and by the decreased number and distinct shape of the chelal teeth. A redescription of the subgenus Urochthonius, and keys to the subgenera of Allochthonius and to the species and subspecies of Urochthonius are also provided, as well as some ecological remarks, a brief discussion on troglomorphisms for the subgenus, and potential threats for this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subfamily Lechytiinae is reported from New Zealand for the first time. A new species, Lechytia novaezealandiae sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Lake Waikare in Waikato District, North Island. In addition, a key to species in the genus Lechytia from Asia, Australia, and New Zealand is included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genera Tyrannochthonius Chamberlin, 1929 and Nesocheiridium Beier, 1957 are recorded from the Tonga Islands, Polynesia, for the first time. Tyrannochthonius eua sp. nov. is described from the island of Eua. Nesocheiridium onevai sp. nov. is described from the island of Onevai. This is the first discovery of a representative of the genus Nesocheiridium in more than 60 years. The holotype of the type species, Nesocheiridium stellatum Beier, 1957, is redescribed, allowing a better understanding of this poorly known genus. The genus Nesocheiridium is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: integument coarsely granulate, dorsally granulo-reticulate; vestitural setae either relatively long, with a leaf-like outline, or arcuate with a small spine; cucullus short; only 10 abdominal tergites visible in dorsal view; cheliceral rallum of four blades; venom apparatus present in both chelal fingers; fixed chelal finger with granulate swelling mesally and seven trichobothria; trichobothria ib and ist located distad of granulate swelling; eb and esb situated close together at the base of the finger; moveable chelal finger with two trichobothria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pseudoscorpion Chernes similis (Beier, 1932) is reported from the Baltic region for the first time. The new record from Lithuania is based on a single male specimen found in a mould growing in a hollow of a Tilia L. tree in the Botanical Garden of Vilnius University. This finding represents the northernmost record of C. similis. With the new record of C. similis, nine pseudoscorpion species, belonging to six genera and three families, are currently known from Lithuania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Apocheiridium Chamberlin, 1924 is reported from Hungary for the first time. Adults of Apocheiridium ferum (Simon, 1879) were collected under the bark of a Platanus Linné, 1753 tree in Pápa, Veszprém County. Simultaneously, the second known European cheiridiid species, Cheiridium museorum (Leach, 1817), was found under the same bark. The differences between these two species are discussed. With the new record of A. ferum, 54 species and 21 genera are now known for the Hungarian fauna of Pseudoscorpiones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The genus Neocheiridium Beier, 1932 currently contains seven Neotropical (including Caribbean) and two Afrotropical species, with no Nearctic records. New information: An undescribed species of Neocheiridium from South Carolina was discovered in the Ohio State University Acarology Collection and is described as Neocheiridium gullahorum, n. sp. (based on specimens of both sexes). A key to known world species of Neocheiridium is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-five species of pseudoscorpions are known from Canada, a five-fold increase since an assessment from 1979. The diversity and distribution of Canadian species are poorly known and at least 27 more species are expected to be found in the country. Currently 46 Barcode Index Numbers are assigned to Canadian specimens, suggesting a high level of undocumented diversity. Only one scorpion species is known from Canada and no other species are expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A redescription is provided of the adult, tritonymph and deutonymph life stages of the troglobitic Neobisium (Blothrus) slovacum Gulička, 1977, which is known from Slovakia and Hungary. Material examined included 35 previously deposited museum specimens and 15 newly collected specimens. In addition, the karyotype and distribution of 18S rDNA clusters are described, using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The male karyotype of N. slovacum comprises 69 chromosomes, with a predominance of biarmed chromosomes, and an X0 sex chromosome system. Two pairs of signals for 18S rDNA on biarmed chromosomes (submetacentric and metacentric) of different sizes were identified. The present study provides the first information about the distribution of these clusters in the arachnid order Pseudoscorpiones. The geographic distribution of the species is summarized and mapped. Neobisium slovacum is endemic to the Slovak and Aggtelek Karst area in southern Slovakia and north-western Hungary, where it has been recorded from 16 caves. One of these, Hačavská cave (in Slovakia), is the northernmost locality known for any species of the subgenus Blothrus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bitterfeld amber, sometimes referred to as Saxon or Saxonian amber, is a potentially significant but poorly known source of arthropod data for the Palaeogene of northern Europe. An important aspect is a long-standing controversy about the age of this amber: namely whether it is equivalent to, and perhaps merely a southerly extension of, the better-known Baltic amber, or whether it is a unique and geological younger deposit sampling a different fauna. Here, we briefly review the Bitterfeld arachnids with particular emphasis on how these data could be used to elucidate the age of this deposit. Five arachnid orders have been recorded from Bitterfeld amber: spiders (Araneae), acariform mites (Acariformes), parasitiform mites (Parasitiformes), harvestmen (Opiliones) and pseudoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones). This is a lower diversity than Baltic amber, where scorpions (Scorpiones) and camel spiders (Solifugae) have also been recorded. Spiders are the most comprehensively studied group, with more than 75 described species. Other groups such as pseudoscorpions and mites appear to be very diverse, but are virtually undescribed. Morphological overlap is apparent in the arachnid fauna and 40 species are currently shared between Baltic and Bitterfeld amber whilst 50 species are unique to the Bitterfeld deposit. At the family level overlap is even higher, but in all groups Baltic amber appears more diverse than Bitterfeld. This overlap may be interpreted as evidence for temporal conspecifity of the Baltic and Bitterfeld ambers, albeit with the Bitterfeld and Baltic ambers possibly representing independent localities within a larger Eocene European amber area which also included the Rovno amber from the Ukraine. However, caution should be exercised because the taxonomic foundation for such assumptions is far from comprehensive, most of the material remains to be studied in detail using modern techniques of morphological reconstruction. There are further issues with date estimates because some arachnid groups show extraordinary morphological stasis over time, even at species level, which may bias the analyses available. Here, we review the available knowledge on Bitterfeld arachnids and discuss how a detailed assessment of this fauna, and other arthropod taxa, could be generated. Several natural history museums - including Hamburg and Berlin - as well as private collectors host major assemblages of Bitterfeld fossils which may help to clarify the debate about the age and provenance of the material, and the extent to which (morpho)-species were maintained both over geographical distances and potentially geological time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beierochelifer peloponnesiacus peloponnesiacus (Beier, 1929) is recorded for the first time from Slovakia. These records are based on two males found in tree microhabitats at two localities, both with forest-steppe character with xerothermic vegetation. A full description of the specimens of this rare subspecies is provided and the main diagnostic characters are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological variation in three rarely collected European species of the genus Lasiochernes Beier, 1932 is thoroughly examined in the present study. Detailed descriptions of previously ignored morphological characters of L. cretonatus Henderickx, 1998, L. jonicus (Beier, 1929) and L. pilosus (Ellingsen, 1910) are presented. he female of L. cretonatus and the nymphs of L. pilosus are described for the first time. Multivariate morphometric techniques (principal coordinate analysis and discriminant analyses) were employed to confirm morphological differentiation of the three Lasiochernes species and to identify the most reliable characters for their separation. he usefulness of particular body parts for species identification was evaluated. An identification key for the females of the Lasiochernes species studied is provided. Geographic distribution and habitat preferences of the three species are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudoscorpions are found in almost all terrestrial habitats. However, their uniform appearance presents a challenge for morphology-based taxonomy, which may underestimate the diversity of this order. We performed cytogenetic analyses on 11 pseudoscorpion species of the genus Chthonius C. L. Koch, 1843 from the Alps, including three subgenera: Chthonius (Chthonius) C. L. Koch, 1843, C. (Ephippiochthonius) Beier, 1930 and C. (Globochthonius) Beier, 1931 inhabiting this region. The results show that the male diploid number of chromosomes ranges from 21-35. The sex chromosome system X0 has been detected in all male specimens. The X sex chromosome is always metacentric and represents the largest chromosome in the nucleus. Achiasmatic meiosis, already known from the family Chthoniidae, was further confirmed in males of Chthonius. C-banding corroborated the localization of constitutive heterochromatin in the centromere region, which corresponds to heteropycnotic knobs on the standard chromosome preparations. Morphological types and size differentiation of chromosomes in the karyotype suggest that the main chromosomal rearrangements in the evolution of Chthonius are centric or tandem fusions resulting in a decrease in the number of chromosomes. Pericentric inversions, inducing the change of acrocentric chromosomes into biarmed chromosomes, could also be expected. Variability in chromosome morphology and number was detected in several species: C. (C.) ischnocheles (Hermann, 1804), C. (C.) raridentatus, C. (C.) rhodochelatus Hadži, 1930, and C. (C.) tenuis L. Koch, 1873. We discuss the intraspecific variability within these species and the potential existence of cryptic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of the genus Stenohya Beier, 1967 are described from China: Stenohya pengae sp. n. (male and female; type locality Daming Mountain, Nanning City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region) and S. huangi sp. n. (female; type locality Gushan Mountain, Fuzhou City, Fujian Prov.). The presence of S. pengae sp. n. in the tree crown of Castanopsis fabri represents a new habitat for Neobisiidae. A key and a distribution map of the Chinese Stenohya species are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of the genus Stenohya Beier, 1967 are described from China: Stenohya pengaesp. n. (male and female; type locality Daming Mountain, Nanning City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region) and Stenohya huangisp. n. (female; type locality Gushan Mountain, Fuzhou City, Fujian Prov.).The presence of Stenohya pengaesp. n. in the tree crown of Castanopsis fabri represents a new habitat for Neobisiidae. A key and a distribution map of the Chinese Stenohya species are also provided.